Ratclliffe and INEOS are now overseeing football operations (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United will target as many as four new signings this summer as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s revamp of the current squad.
Off the pitch, United appear to be making progress with Ratcliffe’s purchase of 27.7 per cent of the club approved and key appointments being targeted to improve its football operations after years of mismanagement.
Omar Berrada has already been poached from Manchester City to become United’s new chief executive with Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth the club’s first choice to come in and oversee transfers at Old Trafford.
On the pitch, United’s faults were exposed yet again against Fulham on Saturday. With a deal to bring Ashworth to United still to be agreed, the club’s current recruitment team have identified four positions that need to be strengthened.
Player recruitment is an area Ratcliffe has demanded improvement in after over a decade of poor business. The Daily Telegraph report a striker, a right-back and a centre-half are a priority for the club with a new midfielder also a possibility.
United are assessing centre forward options to come in and support Rasmus Hojlund, who joined the club from Atalanta in a £72million deal last summer. The Dane has scored in every game he has been involved in since his late winner against Aston Villa on 27 December but is now facing three weeks on the sidelines after suffering a muscle injury in training.
United toiled with Marcus Rashford and youngster Omori Forson taking turns leading the line in the 2-1 defeat to Fulham and with the injured Anthony Martial set to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, United have no other centre forward options available.
United want someone to come in and ease the pressure on Hojlund (Picture: Getty)
Centre-half is another area United are keen to strengthen. Lisandro Martinez has missed most of the season, undergoing foot surgery in September before picking up a knee ligament injury four games into his return in early February.
Harry Maguire has filled in but his long-term future remains uncertain while Raphael Varane has been targeted by Saudi Arabian clubs.
A right-back will also be considered. Aaron Wan-Bissaka will enter the final year of his contract at the end of the season and has also been linked with a move to Saudi.
More Trending
Diogo Dalot recently signed a new long-term deal and has also covered at left-back to provide cover for Luke Shaw, another who has endured an injury-hit season.
United’s summer spending will be limited by the Premier Leagues Profit and Sustainability rules which could rule out immediate lavish spending sprees. Should the budget allow for it, United will also be in the market for a new central midfielder with doubts over Casemiro’s future.
The Brazilian is another who has struggled for form and fitness this season.
Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.